Review: Something Borrowed by Rebecca Connolly

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Forsaking all others...

Gage Trembath is getting married. He is the only one who knows it, but the statement is true nonetheless. The woman he had once loved has been married elsewhere for a time, and he can put off his own marriage no longer. The woman he has chosen to marry, without love, is sensible, quiet, musical, and amenable, which should enable him to have a good marriage and a content life. That is all he wants now, and Honora Berkeley makes the most sense.

Honora cannot believe that a handsome and wealthy man like Gage has any interest at all in marrying her, even without love. She has certainly very little to recommend her, but escaping her life of criticism and abandonment is something she cannot resist. But what about the woman Gage had once loved? The one who was perfect for him and the one who made him determined to abandon love? Are his feelings for her truly gone? Will Honora ever have his affection along with his respect?

My Review

I was so happy to see these two make a match, but disappointed that Gage went into the marriage with unresolved baggage from his previous experience. This is a bit of a marriage of convenience for Honoria since it gets her away from her abusive family, but her feelings naturally grow swiftly for such a considerate gentleman. Their individual hangups provide the conflict in their relationship- Gage thinking he will never love again, and Honoria completely insecure about his affections. I was glad they had the support of their friends and family- the characters from the previous books- that helped them along their bumpy road to happily-ever-after.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the previous books in the Cornwall Brides series . . .

Review: Cocoa Kisses by Melanie Jacobson

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Two old friends, a snowed in cabin, and a mission to save Creekville’s Christmas…

Taylor Bixby is content running her café and watching her customers fall in love. She wouldn’t mind a little Cupid magic herself, but the last kiss to curl her toes was from an old friend--a rum-fueled mistake. It’s a good thing he hasn’t been around for the last four years.

She’s got her hands full overseeing the town’s most beloved annual tradition, and she’s fine leaving Levi Taft—and the night they don’t speak of—in the past.

Until he walks into her café without warning.

Levi Taft is back in Creekville to fix what he broke four years ago. He misses his best friend too much to let their friendship fade, and he sees his chance to make things right when catastrophe threatens Taylor’s ambitious winter festival plans.

It’s simple. They just need to outrun the blizzard of the decade and escape a snowbound cabin in a forest riddled with absurd amounts of mistletoe. Oh, and stay out of the clutches of their scheming moms.

Creekville needs rescuing, but is Taylor willing to try when it means risking her secrets for the only man to ever break her heart?

Revisit charming Creekville in this standalone Christmas novella full of the angst and hilarity that only happens when two best friends fall in love...

My Review

I have grown to love the fictional town of Creekville as I've read the books in this series! I appreciate that they can be read in any order, and I can revisit when the next book comes out without needing an info dump or rehashing the other plots. It's fun to see the previous characters pop up in cameos as friends or community members. Friends-to-more is one of my favorite tropes, but Taylor and Levi drove me a little crazy! I was glad when Taylor got out of her own head and gave in to the magic ;) The plot is charming and fun- rescuing the Christmas parade by procuring some last-minute reindeer, meddling moms, and unexpected time alone in a cozy cabin- this story has all the makings of a sweet Hallmark movie with the bonus of snappy banter.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the other books in the Creekville Kisses series . . . 

Once Upon a Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Three Delightful Christmas Tales from Beloved Storyteller Michelle Griep
 
Pour yourself a cuppa, get lost in the merriment of the season, and enjoy a Dickensian Christmas in three stories from fan favorite Michelle Griep:
 
12 Days at Bleakly Manor

Brought together under mysterious circumstances, Clara and Ben discover that what they’ve been striving for isn’t what ultimately matters. What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.
 
A Tale of Two Hearts

Pleasure seeker William Barlow needs a wife immediately to gain his uncle’s inheritance, and Mina Scott is just the girl to make him look respectable—too bad she turns him down. Ought he give her a second chance?
 
The Old Lace Shop

Recently widowed Bella White is finally freed from the domination of the overbearing men in her life, but when she enters into a business partnership with the handsome Edmund Archer, she begins to wonder if marriage is worth a second chance.

My Review

I enjoyed reading these three stories that have a strong Dickens vibe of Victorian England, focusing on individuals who are struggling, especially of the middle and lower classes. The plots were engaging and the characters interesting. I didn't quite connect with their emotions, but was interested in how each story would turn out. The settings are easy to envision with the author's descriptions and the historical details. A trio of holiday tales that complement each other well.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: The Backcountry Brides Collection by Shannon McNear, Angela K. Couch, Debra E. Marvin, Gabrielle Meyer, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Jennifer Hudson Taylor, Pegg Thomas, Denise Weimer

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Some of these novellas have been released individually- click on the story titles for links to the novellas that are available as e-books

Synopsis

Travel into Colonial America where nine women seek love, but they each know a future husband requires the necessary skills to survive in the backcountry. Living in areas exposed to nature’s ferocity, prone to Indian attack, and cut off from regular supplies, can hearts overcome the dangers to find lasting love?
 
Shenandoah Hearts by Carrie Fancett Pagels
1754 - Great Wagon Road, into the Shenandoah Valley (Virginia)
As the French-Indian War commences, Magda Sehler wonders if Jacob Owens lost his mind to have abandoned his Philadelphia business and moved to the Shenandoah Valley. Or has he lost his heart?
 
Heart of Nantahala by Jennifer Hudson Taylor  
1757 - (North Carolina)
Joseph Gregory plans to buy a lumber mill, but Mabel Walker becomes a formidable opponent. When she’s forced to make a painful decision, she must choose between survival and love.
 
Her Redcoat by Pegg Thomas
1763 - Fort Michilimackinac (Michigan) during Pontiac’s Rebellion  
Laurette Pettigrew grew up in the northern frontier. Henry Bedlow arrived against his will. Their chance meeting changes everything. Will a deadly clash of cultures keep them from finding happiness?
 
A Heart So Tender by Debra E. Marvin
1764 – (New York)
As thousands of Native warriors converge on Fort Niagara, jaded British Lieutenant Archibald Walsh and idealistic schoolmistress Susannah Kimball learn the greatest risk lies in guarding their hearts.
 
A Worthy Groom by Angela K. Couch
1771 - Sapling Grove settlement on the Holston River (Tennessee)
The Cowden temper has been Marcus’s lifelong bane. A trait Lorinda Cowden curses. Now, winning the heart of his bride hinges on fighting a war without raising a fist.  
 
Across Three Autumns by Denise Weimer
1778-1780 – (Georgia)
Fighting Loyalists and Indians, Jenny White settles for strength over love . . .until Scottish scout Caylan McIntosh leads her family on a harrowing exodus out of Georgia’s Revolutionary “Hornet’s Nest.”
 
The Counterfeit Tory by Shannon McNear
1780 – (South Carolina)
Tasked with infiltrating an infamous Tory gang, Jed Wheeler has no wish to endanger the leader’s cousin, Lizzy Cunningham. He risks not only his life. . .but his heart.
 
Love’s Undoing by Gabrielle Meyer
1792 - Fur Post on the Upper Mississippi River (Minnesota)
When Englishman Henry Kingsley meets Abi McCrea, the daughter of a Scottish fur trader and Indian mother, will their worlds keep them apart, or have they finally found somewhere they truly belong?

My Review

Shenandoah Hearts by Carrie Fancett Pagels - 3 stars

I enjoyed the setting and characters, and some historical details. Magda's work as a silversmith was fascinating.  Jacob's avoidance in communication based on fear of rejection was overly long. The transitions between scenes were disjointed and the politics were difficult to understand, making me feel removed.

Heart of Nantahala by Jennifer Hudson Taylor - 4 stars

Lumbercamps are one of my favorite historical settings, and Mabel has her hands full since the death of her brother. I appreciated the way Joseph respected her and found alternative solutions to his purpose of buying her business, based on her needs.

Her Redcoat by Pegg Thomas - 5 stars

The setting of this story is quite volatile, and Laurette is constantly in danger, especially when she can't stand to be confined to her cabin alone, with only her dog for company. I loved the secret friendship she develops with Henry, recovering from sickness. As tensions come to a head, their relationship saves them both and gives them a brighter future.

A Heart So Tender by Debra E. Marvin - 2 stars

I liked the premise, but the pace was slowed by repetitive political visits, and the interactions between Arch and Susannah were lacking chemistry. Struggled with this one because it focused more on historical details I didn't have enough background information on and I felt lost.

A Worthy Groom by Angela K. Couch - 5 stars

An abused young woman, a forced marriage of convenience, and Marcus's task is to get Lorinda to trust him while providing for her and protecting her against the malevolent destruction of their farm.

Across Three Autumns by Denise Weimer - 5 stars

My favorite of the collection! Jenny and Caylan are larger than life, their vibrant personalities bursting off the page. Jenny is strong and full of grit, named Warrior Woman by the Natives who threaten their land and lives, along with the British. This story felt full and complete, with character growth, compelling events, and plenty of emotion as Jenny's world changes around her. I loved Caylan's devotion to her over time filled with hardships and heartache.

The Counterfeit Tory by Shannon McNear - 4 stars

This story had me biting my nails with anxiousness as Jed goes undercover to bring down the violent raiders. I couldn't stomach the things they did, but history shows how evil people can be. Jed's attachment to Lizzy is unexpected, but saves both of them in the long run. I appreciated the change in Lizzy as she finally had someone to believe in her and fight the lies from her family.

Love’s Undoing by Gabrielle Meyer - 4 stars

I enjoyed the perspective from Abi who is Métis, and learning about her role in different parts of the world and societies. Henry comes from the society who is a harsh judge of those with mixed ancestry, yet values her for the person she is.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Marshaling Her Heart by Mary Connealy

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Becky Pruitt has always prided herself on knowing everything that's happening on her successful ranch, which makes her foreman Nate Paxton's admission to her quite a surprise. With the notorious Deadeye Gang on the loose, Nate--a former U.S. Marshal--believes that Becky's ranch might be the best spot for a group of Marshals to use as a base and hideout.

The timing couldn't be more crucial for the growing town of Pine Valley, and Becky feels a commitment to help. But after escaping the grasp of her harsh father, she's never liked giving up control--of her life or her ranch. Again and again, Nate's proven himself to her and she soon realizes that if there's anyone she can trust with her ranch--and her heart--it might be him. But the outlaws won't go quietly, and as danger draws ever nearer, Becky and Nate are faced with impossible choices that will test their growing bond.

My Review

This third book in the Wyoming Sunrise series wraps up the overarching plot of the outlaws targeting local citizens with Becky and Nate working together with the marshals to draw them in. Nate's hidden identity as a marshal takes Becky off-guard, but it adds to her admiration of him, even when they disagree. I loved that the main characters from the previous books play important roles, and Becky's friendship with Nell and Mariah is steadfast. Women's suffrage is a theme throughout the series, with Wyoming being the first state to allow women the vote and to hold offices. They are pretty proud of it, and I liked the historical details. Brand's daughter Samantha and her new role provides some comic relief, and I hope to see her with a story of her own in a future novella! I was happy to see the community band together to defeat the criminals and stand up for peace and freedom.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Check out the previous books in the Wyoming Sunrise series . . .

Review: Forged in Love by Mary Connealy

 

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

In 1870, Mariah Stover is left for dead and with no memory when the Deadeye Gang robs the stagecoach she's on, killing her father and brother. As she takes over her father's blacksmith business and attempts to move forward, the old-fashioned townspeople meet her new occupation with disdain.

Handsome and polished Clint Roberts escaped to Western Wyoming from the painful memories he left back east. In the hope of a new life, he opens a diner where he creates fine dishes, but is met with a harsh welcome from the townsfolk who prefer to stick to their old ways.

Clint and Mariah are drawn together by the similar trials they face in a new town, and Clint is determined to protect Mariah at all costs when danger descends upon her home. As threats pursue them from every side, will they survive to build a life forged in love?

My Review

I'm always taken back to the vibe of my dad's old Louis L'Amour books when I start a new Western series by Mary Connealy. Granted, I enjoy that her heroines play a more central role and romance is a key component, but the setting, adventure, suspense, dry humor, and strong characters full of grit make these books impossible to resist. I love that Mariah keeps running her father's blacksmith shop, and Clint is a gourmet chef bringing flavor to the small town. There is some unrequited love, some forced proximity, and plenty of intrigue as they try to protect themselves against unknown villains. Not all answers are found, which continues part of the plot throughout the series, connecting the books.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Check out the next books in the Wyoming Sunrise series . . .

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Never Hire a Hero by Regina Scott

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Never Hire a Hero by Regina Scott, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Never Hire a Hero
Series: Fortune's Brides: Guarding Her Heart #3
Author: Regina Scott
Publisher: Edwards and Williams
Release Date: December 11, 2023
Genre: Sweet Regency Romance

Three children and a marriage of convenience may be his biggest challenge yet 

A former elite soldier, Stephen Roth was trained to be ruthless as he served as bodyguard for kings and princes. So why would his English patroness, Lady Belfort, and her cat, Fortune, arrange for him to take a position as the tutor to the heir of Alldene Castle and the boy’s siblings? And why does the children’s mother, Lady Alldene, look at him with shining eyes, as if he could be some sort of hero? This was not the sort of challenge he bargained for! 

A peer in her own right, Thea, Countess of Alldene, was raised in Alldene Castle and taught how to rule over it. But nothing prepared her for the death of her husband and the villainy of the man he appointed as guardian for her children. If a tutor with a razor-sharp gaze will prevent that man from taking her sons away from her, she’s willing to put up with Roth’s rough-shod ways. 

But the castle holds a secret that may prove Thea’s undoing. When danger threatens, she turns to the one man who might be able to keep them all safe. Could a marriage of convenience over Christmas prove that heroes can turn up in the least likely places? 

If you like warm, witty historical romances, with a touch of mystery, then you’ll love this historical romance by an award-winning, bestselling author. 

“All readers who love Regency and historical romances need to pick up stories by Regina Scott. The author has never disappointed me. I am very happy to recommend any of her novels.” – Huntress Reviews 

Hire yourself a hero, today.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

 

My Review

 

I have enjoyed the Fortune's Brides series with Meredith and her matchmaking cat! I've read the books in the initial branch of the series, but still need to get caught up with The Wedding Vow and Guarding Her Heart series. Even though Never Hire a Hero is the third book in this branch of the series, I didn't feel lost. I already had the background of Meredith and Fortune from the first series, so I understood their personalities, and how they are the connection between all the characters. It was easy to admire both Roth and Thea- they are strong and loyal, doing their best in the tasks before them. They both have hidden vulnerabilities, and once they established a valuable friendship (although the employer/employee status kept them at arm's length), they were able to support and encourage each other in ways nobody else had before. I loved the way Roth won over her children as their stoic and protective tutor, instilling life values and experiences that were far more valuable than their education. The hint of attraction blooms under the circumstances when he allows himself to be her protector for life, and I appreciated that she helped him feel worthy, and their love grew naturally together. There is a mild element of suspense with the search for hidden treasure, a conniving guardian, and mysterious footsteps with a blue light in the night.

 

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

 

More Books in This Series

 

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About the Author

Regina Scott started writing novels in the third grade. Thankfully for literature as we know it, she didn’t actually sell her first novel until she had learned a bit more about writing. Since her first novel was published, her stories have traveled the globe, with translations in many languages including Dutch, German, Italian, and Portuguese. She now has now published more than 65 works of warm, witty romance and more than 1 million copies of her books are in reader hands. She and her husband of 30 years reside in Washington State on the way to Mt. Rainier. Regina Scott has learned to fence, dressed as a Regency dandy, driven four in hand, and sailed on a tall ship, all in the name of research, of course.

Connect with Regina by visiting reginascott.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will win ebook copies of all 14 books in the Fortune's Brides series!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 13, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 20, 2023. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Books will be delivered via BookFunnel. No country restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Review: Rocky Mountain Promise by Misty M. Beller

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Lorelei Collins possesses a soft heart for any animal in need, so when she finds a buffalo calf bawling beside its mother's lifeless body, she can't help but bring it home to raise on the ranch she and her sisters are building in the Rocky Mountain wilderness. Little does she realize that its white coloring is rare and considered sacred by Native Americans, which makes it highly valuable to them and the European trappers alike.

A flood of men visit their ranch to regard the marvel, some trying to woo Lorelei into marriage so she'll bring the buffalo calf along as dowry, and others trying to steal the calf outright. When the men's advances become more sinister, she approaches Tanner Mason, the quiet and mysterious owner of the new trading post, with an idea: She and the calf will move to his post, along with her family's trusted Blackfoot friend. This will solve both their problems, bringing customers to his trade room and protecting her family from the trouble brought on by so many strangers. Yet as the danger travels with her, Lorelei and Tanner are faced with a threat greater than anything they're prepared for--one that will test the limits of both their abilities and the love growing between them.

USA Today bestselling author Misty M. Beller delivers an exhilarating addition to the Sisters of the Rockies series fraught with peril, adventure, and romance amid the majesty of the Rocky Mountains.

My Review

While I appreciate a good wilderness journey adventure (which this author excels at writing), the atmosphere of the ranch and the fort brought a more homey vibe as Lorelei cares for the buffalo calf and Tanner establishes his business. Lorelei and her sisters show a great deal of care and loyalty for each other, and Tanner fit right in with his protective nature and desire to help solve problems. I also admired the sisters' Native American friend White Horse, whose mother they are searching for. It seems that the search will be the overarching plot that connects each book in the series. The white calf has a mystical history with the Natives and mountain men, and it was interesting to see to what lengths men would go to lay eyes on the calf, touch it, or just plain steal it. Lorelei and Tanner have their hands full, even with the help of White Horse, and the pace of the story increases as they protect the calf and the store while taking care of the ranch, Lorelei's sick sister, and coming close to finding the elusive Indian mother.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the first book in the Sisters of the Rockies series . . .